Ministers slam Olmert's plan to release more Palestinian prisoners
At least six cabinet members, including members of Shas and Yisrael Beitenu, expected to vote against release of prisoners ahead of Ramadan holiday. 'It's the Palestinians' turn to make goodwill gestures,' Lieberman says
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's plan to recommend the release of additional Palestinian prisoners as a goodwill gesture ahead of the Ramadan holiday drew staunch criticism from several cabinet ministers, and at least six of them are expected to oppose the move.
"It's the Palestinians' turn to make goodwill gestures," Strategic Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman (Yisrael Beitenu) said. (Tourism) Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch and I intend to oppose the gesture promised to (Palestinian President Mahmoud) Abbas by the prime minister."
Lieberman suggested canceling the entry permits granted to family members visiting security prisoners, saying "as long as we do not receive information on the condition of our kidnapped soldiers, visitations must not be allowed".
A month-and-a-half ago Israel released 250 Palestinian prisoners as a gesture to Abbas in an effort to embolden him following Hamas' violent takeover of the Gaza Strip.
Now Olmert is looking to strengthen the Palestinian leader ahead of the US-brokered Mideast peace conference in November.
'Gesture may hinder Israel's war on terror'
Deputy Prime Minister and Shas chairman Eli Yishai said his party's ministers would also vote against releasing more prisoners.
"Just as we have voted against such gestures in the past, we will oppose them this time as well," he said.
Another minister who may vote against Olmert's initiative is Shaul Mofaz, who has warned of what he referred to as the instability in the Palestinian Authority.
In a recent letter addressed to the prime minister, Mofaz said "gestures must be reversible and must not jeopardize Israel's security interests."
A source in Mofaz's office stressed that the minister was relating to territorial concessions, but added: "You can take the 'wanted' label off of a wanted terror suspect, but it will be more difficult to bring back a released prisoner."
Knesset Member Gideon Sa`ar also censured Olmert's plan, saying "the ease with which he releases terrorists hinders Israel's war on terror and may put our citizens' security in jeopardy".
"No other country battling cruel terror against its citizens would be so hasty in releasing terrorists," he added.
